Population in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) only receiving All Social in South Africa

South Africa: Population in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) only receiving All Social was 93.7% in 2021. ▬ Flat

Latest (2021)
93.7%
Change on year
down 1.3%
World rank
4th
of 40 countries
All-time high
95.7%
in 2014
All-time low
86.3%
in 2018
Years of data
8
2005–2021

Population in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) only receiving All Social in South Africa, 2005–2021

0204060801002005201320212005: 88.2 %, preT2010: 92.4 %, preT2014: 95.7 %, preT2016: 87.3 %, preT2018: 86.3 %, preT2019: 91.1 %, preT2020: 95 %, preT2021: 93.7 %, preT

Source: ASPIRE. Measured in %, preT.

Analysis

The most recent figure for population in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) only receiving all social in South Africa is 93.7%, measured in 2021.

That represents a change of down 1.3% on the previous year and up 1.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, population in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) only receiving all social in South Africa peaked at 95.7% in 2014 and was at its lowest, 86.3%, in 2018.

South Africa ranks 4th of 40 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

Population in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) only receiving All Social in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Population in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) only receiving All Social Assistance (%, preT) in South Africa, 2005 to 2021.
Year %, preT Change
2005 88.2%
2010 92.4% +4.7%
2014 95.7% +3.6%
2016 87.3% -8.8%
2018 86.3% -1.1%
2019 91.1% +5.6%
2020 95.0% +4.3%
2021 93.7% -1.3%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 93.7% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 58.2%, 1.6× the median. (25 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 88.2% 88.2% 88.2% 1
2010s 90.5% 86.3% 95.7% 5
2020s 94.3% 93.7% 95.0% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 1 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 99.7% compare
  2. 2 Georgia 95.4% compare
  3. 3 Panama 94.1% compare
  4. 5 Peru 91.7% compare
  5. 6 El Salvador 90.9% compare
  6. 7 Viet Nam 88.1% compare

See the full ranking of 40 places →

More work & labour data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is population in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) only receiving all social in South Africa?
Population in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) only receiving all social in South Africa was 93.7% in 2021, according to ASPIRE.
What is the highest population in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) only receiving all social recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 95.7% in 2014.
What is the lowest population in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) only receiving all social recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 86.3% in 2018.
How does South Africa rank for population in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) only receiving all social?
South Africa ranks 4th out of 40 countries with data for 2021.
Is population in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) only receiving all social rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 1.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from ASPIRE, published as part of Population in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) only receiving All Social Assistance (%, preT). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Population in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) only receiving All Social in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on ASPIRE. Retrieved 15 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/population-in-extreme-poor-2-15-a-day-only-receiving-all-social-assistance-percent-pret/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Population in extreme poor (<$2.15 a day) only receiving All Social Assistance (%, preT)
Unit
%, preT
Source
ASPIRE
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
40 places, 394 data points, 2002–2023
Last refreshed

Percentage of population only receiving All Social Assistance programs (includes direct and indirect beneficiaries)